The blog will offer purely objective and candid analyses for a better understanding of the events that keep happening and that provide dynamism and direction to the flow of the history and development of the human societies. Being a forum, the comments and opinions from readers whether for or against the views expressed in it, are gratefully welcome. Suggestions for improving the blog are welcome.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Latest Outburst of Altaf Hussain and its fallout

August 24, 2016

By Saeed Qureshi

The latest outburst of MQM
chief Altaf Hussain has surpassed his previous anti-Pakistan and anti-army
flare-ups. Besides raising anti-Pakistan slogans, he called upon the Muhajir
community to attack media and TV channels which they did. One person died as a
result of the mayhem created by the infuriated hooligans.

The curtain seems to be
falling on MQM because of the dubious and eccentric role of its chieftain Altaf
Hussain now having asylum in London. The leaders of almost all the political
parties as well as the prime minister have condemned Altaf Hussain’ remarks
against Pakistan. The Rangers have moved fast to raid and seal the headquarters
of MQM at 9 zero and other branches of MQM in Karachi.

Pakistan’s interior minister
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has announced to send references to the British
government about hate speech and inciting violence by Altaf Hussain. The
minister alsodeclared to approach the British
authorities against Altaf on two counts of money laundering and Imran Farooq’s
murder case.

The MQM local leadership has
dissociated themselves from the anti-Pakistan tirade of Altaf Hussain.
This unprecedented backlash from the government and army besides the MQM’s
local leadership’ dissociation of their leader’s hate speech might relegate Altaf
Hussain to the political oblivion and a local chieftain might emerge to lead
the MQM.

Yet it would be better and
advisable for the MQM cadres and Muhajir community to support Mustafa Kamal and
join his party. Mustafa Kamal is a dissident of the MQM yet he is moderate and
sensible, pragmatic and a patriot. He is termed as one of the most successful
mayor of Karachi. He picked up the courage to oppose his unforgiving formal
boss, Altaf Hussain. That is the only viable way-out for the MQM supporters and
sympathizer to survive politically and dispense with the stigma of being a
racial and regional party more favorably inclined towards India than Pakistan.

MQM was founded in 1984 under
the title of “Muhajir Qaumi Movement” that was renamed as Muttahida Qaumi
Movement in 1997. its imprint in the minds of the people has been that of a
kind of mafia or an entity of roughnecks or extortionists, a symbol of
terror, revenge and bloodletting. It virtually rules Karachi like the notorious
Assassins of the past.

It is alleged that the special
death and terror squads of MQM kill, kidnap and torture their rivals including
the critics from within the MQM fold. It gained enormous and unshakable
political clout and grip in Sindh provincial government.

There is prevailing impression
that the extortions or the obnoxious “Parchi (slip of paper) system” was first
started by MQM to raise funds to become financially robust to carry out for
political and apolitical activities. Over a period of 32 years the MQM has
remained in power saddle of Sindh province in some form or the other. The
mayors and local bodies officials mostly consisted of the MQM cadres.

There have been leaders or
freedom fighters in various societies. They excelled and brought about
revolutions and reforms because of exemplary behaviors, enlightened policies
and projections as well as judicial use of force. Altaf Hussain is however made
from a different clay. Terrorizing, victimizing, killing, arm twisting and
brutalizing are his weapons to make headway. That is how he modeled MQM into a
mafia entity and the most dreaded outfit in Pakistan.

Undoubtedly Altaf Hussain has
proven to be a great and unassailable master and unbending and strict lord of
his party. He can summon the multitudes of Urdu-speaking Pakistanis and
Muhajirs within a matter of hours and with one call. They all gather at a venue
with their heads down and hands motionless unless raised to cheer or clap for
the scathing tirade of their leader.

They sit rather motionless for
hours together listening to his long, dreary and high-pitched discourses as if
they are bewitched or mesmerized. There is a gossip that anyone who does not
clap or come to the assemblage is dealt with vindictively.

Also on a previous occasion he
demanded separation of Karachi from Pakistan which meant truncation of
Pakistan. He even earlier criticized the supreme court, army, media with
vitriolic statements. In a speech made in India he said that “Division of
the subcontinent was the biggest blunder in the history of mankind”.

Several pioneering cohorts and
companions including Imran Farooq are alleged to have lost their lives in all
these years ostensibly due to their opposition of the ruthless leader with
symptoms of indiscretion. Their names are in the public knowledge.

The MQM captures most seats in
Karachi both for the National Assembly and for the Sindh provincial assembly.
These seats in the distant past used to be shared by Jamaat-i-Islami and some
other political factions. But for many years now majority of these are
exclusively bagged by MQM.

With
a sizable number of seats in the federal and provincial parliaments,
the MQM gathers enough bargaining clout and leverage to share the power at the
center and in Sindh. The latest show of their bargaining power was brought to
bear in case of their coalition with the PPP government in the national
assembly for almost five years with some brief walkout periods.

The MQM has been playing its
bargaining card with great dexterity and with a mix of pressure and fear hanging
upon the main coalition partner. Thus it would be in
a decisive position always to draw as many perks and concessions that
it would place on the table for becoming the coalition partner.

The MQM’s political behavior
for all these years has been to browbeat and flex its muscles whenever its
hegemony was challenged by other groups within the context of Karachi and
broadly in Sindh. A shrewd and Machiavellian person like president
Zardari has always been going extra mile to accommodate MQM’s demands not
matter how unreasonable or excessive those would be.

It would be absolutely
preferable if MQM sheds its image of being a rogue entity and Altaf Hussain
elevates his role from an ethnic boss to that of a national leader. Instead of
donning an insidious role like Bal Thackeray or eyeing on what Sheikh Mujibur
Rehman right or wrong achieved, he should liberate and unleash his own
people from his fearsome stranglehold. He should speak and represent the people
of Pakistan and not exclusively Muhajirs.

About Me

Columnist/Analyst/ Former Diplomat.
After obtaining my master’s degrees in Urdu and English literature from Punjab University, I started my career by teaching in a college. Thereafter, I had a stint in the diplomatic service of Pakistan. Finally I landed in journalism, an occupation that I am wedded to for over 20 years now.
I am a strong believer in a civil society and staunch opponent of exploitation in all forms.